South Beaches: Beach toll booths are sign of spring

Posted: February 11, 2013 - 10:31pm

South Beaches: Beach toll booths are sign of spring

Lorraine Thompson

South Beaches News

While some areas rely on a groundhog or some other interpreter to signal the arrival of spring, along St. Johns County’s drivable beaches the sure sign that spring is near is the reappearance of toll booths each March 1.

Effective that day and through September, vehicles seeking beach access are required to purchase either a day pass at the toll booth or display a seasonal pass. The seasonal passes are currently available for purchase at pre-season prices of $30 for St. Johns County residents and $40 for non-residents.

Beginning March 2, prices will increase by $10 and passes will only be available at toll booths. Season passes can be purchased at the St. Johns County Pier, tax collector’s offices, and the recreation and parks office. In addition, toll booths will be open and selling season passes at the preseason prices between noon and 6 p.m. Feb. 22 and 24 at Vilano, Porpoise Point, A Street and Ocean Trace Road beach ramps.

A three-day pass, good for three consecutive days, will also be available at the toll booths. The costs are $15 for residents and $18 for nonresidents.

A season pass for those with handicap designation will cost $30 for both residents and nonresidents. Veterans with 100 percent disability may obtain one season pass at no charge.

The county also provides use of a beach wheelchair for the handicapped and disabled. There is no charge for use of the chair, but it should be reserved in advance. For beach wheelchair reservations, special event permit requests, habitat conservation information, or questions about the beach call Beach Services at 209-0333.

For current beach conditions call 209-0331, an automated information line which is updated as conditions change.

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If you like to fish, enjoy eating fish, or if you’d like to learn all about coastal policy making, here’s a downloadable newsletter that should be explored.

Maia McGuire, Ph.D, Florida marine extension agent, has posted the February version of Sea Grant aqua-notes. In it she tells how to get free maps from NOAA. The downloadable charts are made to help recreational boaters locate themselves on the water. The charts are updated weekly and include notices to mariners. Booklet charts are available at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/BookletChart.html.

McGuire also writes on tips for avoiding fake grouper and the laws that govern the labeling of fish. Grouper is one of Florida’s most valuable commercial fish. In 2011 over 6.9 million pounds were landed in the state with an estimated dockside value of over $19 million. Grouper has also become one of the most often substituted products with a lesser-valued fish which may have been imported from outside the U.S.

In addition to consumer hints, which address appearance and texture of grouper, pricing and merchant inquiries, McGuire also provides an option for those who are in the commercial end of seafood distribution including distributors and restaurants. Researchers from the University of South Florida, with funding from the University of Florida Sea Grant Program, have developed a hand-held machine that can test the DNA of fish tissue samples in a matter of minutes. The QPyre Handheld Sensor aimed mainly at commercial use costs $2,500.

Information is also available on “Exploring our Environment—Coastal Policy and You and Me.” The class will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8 to 12 at GTMNERR Marineland classroom.

St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum is shining its light on local cooks in search of the best Minorcan or Spanish dish in St. Augustine. Recipes will be tested by visitors at Night Fest, an event planned from 6 to 9 p.m. March 2. Cash prizes will be awarded the winners. Entries are limited to 10 local restaurants or individuals. The deadline to sign up is Feb. 15. For information on entering the cooking competition call 829-0745. Look for more information on Night Fest in the next South Beaches column.

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Friends of Anastasia State Park will hold a yard sale from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 23 in the parking lot across from the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, in conjunction with the Saturday Farmers Market. Proceeds of the sale will be used to refurbish and upgrade the current playground that is located within Anastasia State Park, across from the Island Grill and Sea Turtle Pavilion. Sale items will include household items, clothing and seasonal displays; especially Halloween items, furniture, and more. Items not sold will be donated to a local charity and all proceeds raised will benefit the Friends of Anastasia in support of the park.

If you go be sure to check out the Saturday Old City Farmers Market at the Amphitheatre which offers fresh produce, baked goods, hand-crafted items and plants directly from the producers, and fresh seafood—plus local entertainment. The market is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Saturday.

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Carl Safina, marine conservationist and author, will be Whitney Laboratory for Marine Bioscience’s special guest lecturer at 7 p.m. Feb. 22. Safina, who is president of Blue Ocean Institute, Stony Brook University, will discuss “Caught in the Same Net: The Ocean and Us.” Tickets are $10. The event will take place in Lohman Auditorium at Whitney Laboratory, 9506 Ocean Shore Blvd. at Marineland. For tickets and information call 451-4000.

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The St. Augustine Beach City Commission presented certificates to winners of the holiday lighting completion at its Feb. 4 meeting. Winners included Seth and Jane Shortlidge of 21 Magnolia Dunes Drive for the best residential display; Lauren Ringhaver and Rich O’Brien, owners of La Fiesta Ocean Inn and Suites, for the best commercial display; Sea Grove Homeowners’ Association for the best subdivision entrance.

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Got news? If it takes place on Anastasia Island or the adjoining areas you can send your information about people and events to staugbeachwatch@aol.com, or call 471-4851.